The Hungarian Supreme Court has delivered a notable ruling by declaring the police ban on the annual Budapest Pride march unlawful, asserting there was no legitimate basis for such a prohibition. According to the court’s decision, the state defendants relied on an amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary to justify their ban, which aimed to protect children—a reasoning the court found unsubstantiated as previous similar demonstrations occurred without police interference.
This ruling arrives amidst a backdrop of legislative changes in Hungary. A controversial amendment passed in April has prohibited LGBTQ+ public events, asserting that such measures protect children and promote family stability. Interestingly, the court did not see the need to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice since the ruling favored the plaintiffs.
The recent constitutional amendment banning LGBTQ+ events has sparked significant domestic and international criticism. Thousands protested in Budapest against the changes, which were driven by the national-conservative political party, Fidesz. Despite public dissent, the measures were successfully passed into law, reflecting the intensifying debate surrounding Hungary’s legislative direction.
Additionally, the country’s approach to LGBTQ+ rights remains a point of contention within the European Union. Twenty of the EU’s 27 member states recently issued a joint declaration accusing Hungary of contradicting the EU’s core values. The ongoing dispute over Hungary’s human rights record continues to fuel tensions between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government and the EU, emphasizing concerns over the rule of law and European principles.
For more details on the Hungarian Supreme Court’s decision, please refer to the original report by JURIST.